Melissa Leo is best known for her starring role as Detective Kay Howard on the award-winning NBC series HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET. She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her role as Linda Warner on ABC's ALL MY CHILDREN.
Her other television credits include the starring role of Emma on the ABC series THE YOUNG RIDERS. She has guest-starred on numerous television series, including LAW & ORDER, COLD CASE, CSI, CRIMINAL MINDS, and The L WORD.
Among Leo's feature credits are three movies for Henry Jaglom: ALWAYS, VENICE/VENICE, and LAST SUMMER IN THE HAMPTONS. Her other films include Tommy Lee Jones’ directorial debut THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA, Nancy Savoca's THE 24-HOUR WOMAN, THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO, MR. WOODCOCK, co-starring with Billy Bob Thorton and Susan Sarandon; GRETA starring Ellen Burstyn and Hillary Duff; and HIDE AND SEEK with Dakota Fanning and Robert DeNiro; and RIGHTEOUS KILL with Al Pacino and once again, Robert DeNiro.
But it was her role as Benicio Del Toro's wife in 2003's 21 GRAMS that gave Leo her first exposure to a wide moviegoing audience. The performance won her recognition from the L.A. Film Critics Association, who named Leo the runner-up for the Best Supporting Actress honor.
She performed in the New York City production of Eve Ensler's THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, as well as with the national tour. Among her many other stage credits are A TOUCH OF THE POET, THE HURDY GRUDY MAN at New York Stage & Film at Vassar College, the New York Shakespeare Festival productions of DON JUAN and CINDERS, and TONGUE OF THE BIRD at the Public Theatre. She also created the role of Gloria in the world premiere staging of Tennessee Williams' WILL MR. MERIWETHER RETURN FROM MEMPHIS?
It is in 2008 that Ms. Leo is finally receiving her long overdue recognition. In FROZEN RIVER, Leo has been honored several times, and the film snagged the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance earlier this year. Leo’s performance is generating heavy Oscar buzz and has been nominated for a Spirit award, SAG award and she recently won the Gotham Awards Breakthrough Actor honor.
